Kidderminster HMO plan lodged for former restaurants

The former La Brasserie and Three Shires buildings on Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster, could be turned into 21 residential co-living studio rooms, with a co-working area and coffee shop.

The plan outlines that each room would have an ensuite, kitchenette and space for working, eating and relaxing.

The redevelopment includes three communal kitchens with storage space and cooking facilities for the residents. The planned conversion would also include a large outside recreational area, internal co-living working area, communal toilet, office, laundry room, designated bin storage area and bike storage.

The applicant plans to create two commercial spaces, one being used as a co-working area including a coffee shop which will be accessible to residents and the public, with the other space being large enough for other commercial uses.

The former Three Shires Restaurant (Image: Doolittle & Dally)

4 Lower Mill Street, which was home to The Three Shires café and restaurant and Angelina’s Hair and Beauty, went on sale last year, with offers being accepted over £250,000.

Las Brasserie, at 5 Lower Mill Street, also went on sale in 2023, with offers being accepted above £300,000. The site was previously the home of the historic Frank Freeman Dancing Club.

The club hosted some of the biggest rock acts of the 1960s, including Fleetwood Mac, Fairport Convention and Captain Beefheart. The historic building was commemorated with a Kidderminster Civic Society plaque.

The site was originally opened as Kidderminster's first cinema, the Bijou Cinema, which closed around 1915.

The planning application, which has the reference 23/0904/FUL, is now available to view on Wyre Forest District Council's planning portal.